







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| How old do I look? | |
| Okay, here we are, this is Honeybrook Street. | |
| That's nice, I guess I like the house very much! | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
| That one is a single room, I want a double. | |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | |
| Does anyone else want something to drink? | |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | |
| I wish you all the best. | |
| I'm so sorry, but we need to cancel our meeting today. | |
| That's why you have a headache now! | |
| I hope he gets well soon. | |
| No, we drain pasta with a grater. | |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | |
| That's a good question! | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | |
| The rest of the house is okay, but the kitchen is a bit dirty. | |